Dark Conviction
“ Here lies an honorable young man. Though he only graced this world but a moment in time he was indeed loved and has made an impression on this world. May Christopher lie in peace.”
“Amen.” Murmured the dismal crowd.
My body was lowered six feet into the girt but my soul went much further. It fell into a darkness embraced in a silent hopeless abandon and like a ghost, I hovered in the hallowed halls of Hell.
“Do you know where you are Christopher?” Whispered a voice that would have given my flesh goose bumps if I still wore it.
“”No…” I said as my ghostly existence crouched down on the cold stone floor.
“I think you know…” The voice replied amused.
“Heaven?” I hoped, but he just laughed.
“What will you do with me?”
“I’ll recreate you for my own dark purpose…”
“Will it be like reincarnation?”
“You can say that…”
“Will I be punished?” I asked afraid.
“You will live…”
Darkness befell and I went into a deep slumber. I could hear the bells above me strike twelve echoing through the desolate city. I opened my eyes. Snow was falling outside the broken stained glass window. So gently it danced and whirled like butterflies. I laid my forehead upon the cold glass of the window. I live! But at the price of my soul! This can’t be! I punched the last of the colored glass and let the icy burst calm my rage and desperate longing. The wind sent my dark hair flying like ravens. I pulled my long black coat tightly around my sleek frame and closed my silver eyes. There will be no hope for the wicked. I will remain for all time an empty shell. My days will be haunted with memories of love and light. I will never know its sweetness again. I slid my tongue beneath my fangs. They punctured the tip releasing a bead of rich salty crimson blood. For the world I wished it repulsed me, but no… it was sultry. I stretched my long leathery-clawed wings. Only a few hours until daybreak, when I’m forced to flee and hide like vermin, I though with a bitter edge.
A quiet trudging caught my attention. With a down cast glance I spied an impoverished match girl. She was shivering violently, making a desperate attempt not to drop her only source of survival. I smiled as the demon in me savagely crushed whatever pity I had for the sad human stumbling in the snow. With a swift motion I surrendered to my dark conviction.
One hundred Years later….
A cry of terror and anguish pierced the evening sky like a razor blade on tender skin. I awoke from a dreamless sleep and swiftly moved to the window to gaze out. If I had any luck there would be a murder. Fast food what a novel idea.
On the street bellow, three boys of seventeen years heartlessly beat an animal with a metal pipe. The Griffin trembled violently; it tugged with all its strength at its chains. They laughed at its attempts and pain, dancing around like drunken idiots. It was a sight I could no longer bare. I moved quickly- there was no telling when my demon side would surface.
“Lets pull out its feathers!” Shouted a stumpy ginger haired boy.
“I want to set it on fire!” Chortled another.
“I have a much better idea…” I said, as I entered into the dim lamplight. My face distorted into the monster I was hiding in the depths of my being. “How about I slit your throats and drink your blood like ale.” I flashed a charming half smile to showcase blood lusting fangs.
The boys smiled stupidly not quite getting what was happening. I sighed heavily. “I’m a demon. Either you run away screaming like little girls or I’m afraid I’ll have to kill you. Though I insist you run, I’d prefer drinking rats blood to yours.”
“Good sir you jest?” Slurred stumpy.
“Hardly…” I murmured as I leapt forward and bit his neck. He pulled away, mortified, and fled with his cohorts into the dark alleyways.
I laughed a little to myself and turned around to survey the damage. The poor beast lay unconscious as a heap of bruises and blood. I gently folded its skewed wings and draped the griffin over my shoulders. Carefully I walked homeward.
After a century I had felt compassion and acted upon it. So many lives I’ve taken… No I have control today and it’s a start. I will venture forth and redeem myself if it’s at all possible. Maybe saving people and fighting for good can really mask all wicked deeds. Maybe someday I can recover my most valuable treasure. My soul….
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